The Driver's Guide To DUI - Finding a DUI Lawyer

Nationally-known DWI attorney Troy McKinney of Houston offers the following insight into retaining a lawyer to represent you: "You need to think before you hire your DUI lawyer. Obviously, you would not hire a general practitioner to perform brain surgery. Why, then, would you hire anyone but a lawyer who is both experienced and knowledgeable for your criminal charge? The web of red tape and numerous proverbial hoops to jump through is mind-boggling even to less experienced lawyers, much less the poor citizen who has just been arrested. Having a working knowledge of both the specialized area of DUI/DWI and the numerous methods employed by law enforcement in field sobriety tests and breath/blood alcohol testing is an absolute necessity. Your attorney should have that working knowledge, preferably more so than the arresting officers themselves."

GUIDELINES

Does the attorney focus on DUI defense, or does he take other criminal and/or civil cases as well? The “American Bar Association Journal” provides a piece on DUI specialization.

Are items such as DMV hearing, hearing, blood reanalysis, expert fees, etc. included in the overall quoted sum?

No matter what the situation, there is not an honorable lawyer that will make a guarantee to the outcome of the case.

As the client, require a written contract to record all expenses and covered services.

DUI lawyers should be Board-certified by the American Bar Association through the National College for DUI Defense: Is the lawyer Board-certified?

National College for DUI Defense Information and bios on the members of this distinguished professional and educational organization of nearly 800 lawyers, whose expertise is in drunk driving defense, is offered here, listing members by state. An in-depth 3-day DUI seminar is held annually in July at the Harvard Law School.

California State Bar A site available to research a lawyer’s complaint and disciplinary history online.

Law Offices of Lawrence Taylor With offices located in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange County, Riverside, San Diego, and Las Vegas, our A-V rated firm of 11 lawyers is supported by a uniquely qualified staff of former law enforcement and DMV personnel. With its attorneys averaging 12 years in experience, the firm's practice is...exclusively dedicated to DUI defense.